To create the top 20 for our 25th annual rankings, Fortune and its survey partners at Hay Group asked 3,322 executives, directors, and securities analysts to select the 10
companies they admire most. Having fresh ideas and being green are among the qualities that distinguish this year's winners.

12 of 20

Microsoft

Top 20 Rank: 12

Rank among: Computer Software: 4

Despite the marketing blitz for the new Vista operating system, the software giant slipped 2 places from its No. 10 ranking last year.